Enter to win one book or audiobook for your personal library—and five books or audiobooks for your local library! Be one of ten winners to choose from this selection of new books. For complete details and to enter for a chance to win, click here.

The Harder They Comeby T.C. Boyle: A beautifully wrought work of literature that explores the interlocking relationships of three damaged people as they careen head long on a collision course toward an explosive confrontation.

Epitaph by Mary Doria Russell: The bestselling, award winning author of The Sparrow delivers a richly detailed and meticulously researched historical novel that continues the story she began in Doc, following Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday to Tombstone, Arizona, and to the gunfight at the O.K. Corral.

A Reunion of Ghosts by Judith Claire Mitchell: The fictional confessional of three sisters who have decided to kill themselves on the very last day of the 20th century; in it they tell the story of a family haunted by suicide ever since the sisters’ great-grandfather, a Nobel Prize-winning chemist, developed the first poison gas used in warfare and also the lethal agent used in the Third Reich’s gas chambers.

A Dangerous Placeby Jacqueline Winspear: Maisie Dobbs returns in a powerful story of political intrigue and personal tragedy: a brutal murder in the British garrison town of Gilbraltar leads the investigator into a web of lies, deceit and danger.

The Pocket Wifeby Susan Crawford: In this stylish debut psychological thriller, in the tradition of The Silent Wife and Turn of Mind, a woman can’t remember if she murdered her best friend during a bipolar breakdown.

Hush Hushby Laura Lippman: The award-winning New York Times bestselling author of After I’m Gone, The Most Dangerous Thing, I’d Know You Anywhere, and What the Dead Know brings back private detective Tess Monaghan, introduced in the classic Baltimore Blues, in an absorbing mystery that plunges the new parent into a disturbing case involving murder and a manipulative mother.

The Precious Oneby Marisa de los Santos: From the bestselling author of Belong to Me, Love Walked In and Falling Together comes a captivating new novel about friendship, family, and the redemptive power of love.

Finding Jake by Bryan Reardon: A heart-wrenching but redemptive story of psychological suspense told from the point of view of the father of a boy who is unaccounted for during a school shooting, in the vein of Reconstructing Amelia and Defending Jacob.

Mademoiselle Chanelby C.W. Gortner: Based on the life of iconic fashion designer Coco Chanel, this novel imagines the rise of the daughter of a laundrywoman who, through driving ambition and talent, would become one of the most influential (and controversial) figures of the 20th century, creating revolutionary styles for women and building an international empire-overcoming tragedies, setbacks and the choices forced by world war.

World Gone Byby Dennis Lehane: The epic story of Joe Coughlin continues through World War II, as he struggles to navigate the criminal underworld between Cuba and Ybor City, Florida. Meticulously researched and beautifully rendered.

March 3, 2015

Fans of the television shows The Tudors, the CW's Reign, and the novels of Phillippa Gregory and Alison Weir, listen up! If you can't get enough of Medieval period court dramas, intrigue, and romance, I hope you've already found your way to Joanna Hickson's The AgincourtBride, the story of the genesis of the Tudor dynasty, now continued in The Tudor Bride, on sale today!

The Tudor Bride tells the story of Catherine de Valois, King Henry V’s new French Queen. Even after an heir is born, Catherine is not safe from court intrigue when King Henry is struck down by fever, and enemies swarm to take power. She must face removal from court life, separation from her child, new love, secrets, and mortal danger before all the dust settles.

The Tudor Bride makes its way to American shelves today, but you can also get a sneak peak at author Joanna Hickson's next novel, Red Rose, White Rose, by downloading an egalley here. Enjoy!

March 2, 2015

I am so tired of this cold, grey, snowy, sleety weather. Today I'm pretending it is 80 degrees and sunny, and I am sitting at the beach with the sun beating down, reading under an umbrella with an icy cold beverage. The book I have in my hand is called Bad Kid, and it's funny and poignant...the perfect mix of keeping it light but significant.

Filled with the music and popular culture of the late-eighties and early-nineties (which is so my scene), this coming-of-age memoir from comedian and The Moth host David Crabb tells his story about growing up gay and Goth in San Antonio, Texas

He discusses how he realized (thanks George Michael!) what every bully already knew: he was gay; and then found a group of people with whom it was completely possible to be himself. A group of outlandish friends who reveled in being outsiders: goths.

David started wearing black, cutting class, staying out all night, drinking, tripping, chain-smoking, idolizing The Smiths, Pet Shop Boys, and Joy Division—and learning lessons about life and love along the way. His journey through adolescence is very universal and everyone will be able to relate to the overarching desire to figure yourself out.

February 27, 2015

March is Maisie Dobbs month, and to celebrate the upcoming publication of the latest mystery in her New York Times bestselling series, A Dangerous Place, Jacqueline Winspear is hosting multiple author chats to satiate all your Maisie needs. You can click on the image above to be taken to Maisie's March events homepage, or click on the separate events below to bookmark where you'll need to be.

February 24, 2015

Tess is back! Hush Hush by Laura Lippman is the twelfth novel following the adventures of private detective Tess Monaghan, and it marks a huge change in the sleuth's life: Tess is now a mother, and while she's learning to deal with those unique struggles, she's also pulled into a disturbing case involving murder and a manipulative mother.

Hush Hush garnered excellent reviews in the months leading up to publication: Marilyn Stasio of the New York Times Book Review says, "Lippman knows her stuff and introduces some clever plot twists and turns (not to mention a murder). But her character studies, largely drawn from the way people feel about having children, are exceptional," and it received starred reviews from Library Journal, Kirkus, and Publishers Weekly.

And now it's finally on sale! Happy Book Birthday, Laura and Tess! Make sure you check out Tess's latest absorbing mystery today.

Finding Jakeby Bryan Reardon tells the story of Jake Connolly and his father Simon. After a shooting at the local high school, seventeen-year-old Jake is missing. Worse, the authorities have identified him as a possible suspect. Simon embarks on a journey not only to find his son, but to find out who his son really is. Although not included in the book, this school paper, written by Jake in the seventh grade, may hold a clue:

If I Was an Animal

By Jake Connolly

It's funny. If I think about it, I can guess which animal most everyone else in class will write about. I know who the lions are. I think there will be one or two cheetahs. Everyone knows a certain class president will probably pick the eagle. But after hours of thinking about it, I still can't decide which I am.

When I try to think of something, I keep remembering this one book I read in the fifth grade. I had to do a report so I went down to the school library. While I was wandering around, probably looking all confused, Mrs. Thomas came over. She was our librarian all through elementary school. She had this way of picking very specific books out for each kid.

"Hi Jake."

Before I said anything, she nodded, like she'd just figured something out.

"Come here. I think I have a book that you'd really like to read."

Mrs. Thomas gave me Watership Down that day. I saw the rabbit on the cover and didn't love it right away.

"It's a great book, Jake. You have to be a strong reader to handle this. The language can be a little tricky. But the story… you'll love it. I'm sure."

Looking back, I think that was a challenge. I took that book and, no matter how hard it got sometimes, I finished every word and it stuck with me. Now I know why. See there was this rabbit, Fiver, who was always worried. He kept warning all the other rabbits, but some of them got annoyed and wouldn't listen. It drove him crazy, because he cared about the other rabbits so much, and he knew they were in danger. It totally reminded me of my dad. I used to think he worried about me all the time. It used to annoy me. But I get it now. See, it's just that his worry is his love for me and my sister.

So, my dad would be a rabbit. The problem is that's not what I'm supposed to be writing about. I'm sure I'll get a bad grade for this since I'm not really answering the question. But if my dad is a rabbit, and I figured that out by reading a book, then maybe I'm just a bookworm.

***

Thank you, Bryan and Jake! To learn more about Jake and his father's story, you can check out an excerpt of Finding Jakehere. And when that's not enough (worry not!), Finding Jake is on sale today!

February 23, 2015

If you or anyone you know is a single 30 year old looking for love in an urban environment, doing the whole online dating thing or trolling bars or gallery openings, and wondering where their person might be THEN GIVE THEM THIS BOOK.

A few years ago this pretty much summed up me and everyone I knew, and I wish I had had Read Bottom Up to laugh (or cry) over. It's told via emails and texts between a man and woman and their respective best friends.

Man and woman meet, there is endless back and forth about what did he/she mean by this email, does she like me, why hasn't he called yet. It's so funny and spot-on echoes endless conversations I've had with friends (either as the woman or the best friend).

February 20, 2015

Imagine this: you're looking for a little light reading before bed, so you pick up the novel sitting on your nightstand and decide to give it a try. You didn't put it there, but maybe your husband left it for you. The first thing you notice when you open the book is that the disclaimer at the very beginning—the one that says the characters in the story are not meant to resemble real people in any way—is marked out in red pen. And as you continue to read, you recognize a horrible moment in your life, a moment you thought no one living knew about.

Welcome to the creepy thriller Disclaimer by Renée Knight. If you like unreliable narrators, conflicting accounts of events, and ferreting out the truth, you'll love this debut novel. It's told from two points of view: Catherine, the woman who finds the book, and the author of the book itself. Throughout the entire novel, you're wondering how the author even knew about that incident in Catherine's life, why he's telling her story through the book, and if what he knows is even the truth. You won't know who to trust until the very end when all of Catherine's secrets are revealed.

Definitely grab an egalley here if you liked Before I Go to Sleep, Reconstructing Amelia, or any other novels about uncovering the truth of past events.

February 17, 2015

Geronimo Johnson is a PEN/Faulkner finalist and the critically acclaimed author of Hold it ‘Til it Hurts, and now he has written a very clever, satirical novel that is being compared to Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk and The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao. Welcome to Braggsville (on sale today!) is a dark and socially provocative comedy about four liberal UC Berkeley students who stage a mock lynching during a Civil War reenactment...in Georgia.

Geronimo wrote up a little something for LLF to help celebrate his Book Birthday, so check it out and then go get your copy of Welcome to Braggsville.

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@librarylovefest.com @triggerwarning: may contain Peanuts

@age7 a friend and I, after much earnest deliberation, much labored debate, much spirited discussion, and several rounds of sugar straws, decided to run away. Our parents did not understand us; church was terrifying, and school was school. Civilized life was hard in general. What do two @age7s need to run away? A duffle bag, sweat pants, socks, flip-flops, joke books, water, and peanut butter, all of which we ineptly smuggled out of the house. The books we shoved in our belts like water pistols, though they bulged like life vests. The sweatpants we wore under our jeans. So sly. So slick we were.

February 12, 2015

Edgar Award-nominated author Lou Berney's The Long and Faraway Goneis a sharp, evocative crime novel that tells the story of two unsolved cold cases and the survivors, who are forced together 25 years later in order to confront a dark past and finally discover the truth. Berney's third novel went on sale earlier this week, after garnering stellar reviews. Check out these great starred reviews:

“Berney’s novel is most truly a thoughtful exploration of memory and what it means to be a survivor. Elegiac and wistful, it is a lyrical mystery . . . with a deep, wounded heart. Read it.” — Kirkus Reviews

February 11, 2015

Who loves Laura Lippman?? You ALL do! Don't try to pretend...I saw the clamoring for galleys at Midwinter.

Well she loves libraries right back.

Laura's latest book, Hush Hush, is about to go on sale (2/24), and it features PI favorite, Tess Monaghan dealing with a very different kind of case. Tess has recently become a mother and must decide whether to take on a client accused of murdering her child years ago.

Laura stopped by the office to discuss her mystery and some bonus thoughts on libraries. Check it out!

February 10, 2015

You've probably seen us mention this brilliantly inventive dystopian novel a fewtimes, but today it has finally gone on sale! The Country of Ice Cream Star follows our heroine, 15-year-old Ice Cream Star, as she leads a roving band of children who must find a cure to the plague that has decimated the world’s population before their leader dies.

This morning's Shelf Awareness also celebrated the novel's birthday by sharing this great piece, in which Sandra talks about how she created the unique language in The Country of Ice Cream Star. If you were lucky enough to catch it in galley form, you know exactly what I'm talking about.

If you haven't yet experienced the beauty and excitement that is The Country of Ice Cream Star, join me in wishing it a happy birthday by checking it out today!

February 6, 2015

I'm sorry to disrupt the normally scheduled book programming for this PSA but I feel like it will benefit you greatly. If you want to feel better about your day, you MUST buy or borrow Carole King: The Legendary Demos. I have listened to this album four times today and it is so excellent!

I'm not just discovering Carole King, don't worry. I have the record of Tapestry framed and hanging on my wall, but these are such great recordings of some of her brilliant songs.

And just so this is a bit book related, she wrote a memoir...which I might have just ordered. Details.

Dark Invasion: 1915 Germany’s Secret War and the Hunt for the First Terrorist Cell in America by Howard Blum: German spies collaborate to unleash a campaign of terror in the United States at the start of World War I.

Jerry Lee Lewis: His Own Story by Rick Bragg: “Can a man play rock and roll and still go to heaven?”

January 27, 2015

Of Things Gone Astray by Janina Matthewson is a magical fable about modern life and values that's perfect for fans of Andrew Kaufman and Helen Oyeyemi. Simon Van Booy, bestselling author of The Illusion of Separateness, calls it "a brilliant novel that redefines the boundaries of where our lives begin and where they end." Janina has stopped by to share some background behind the book and the inspiration for her first full-length novel.

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When the earthquakes hit Christchurch it felt like nothing would ever be the same. And of course it isn’t the same—the city’s still chaotic, there will be constant road works for years to come, and the city center is eerily empty. But the people in it are just carrying on. Because that’s what you do. In the aftermath, it seemed to me that when extraordinary things happen to you, they can stall you, or they can motivate you, but they very rarely actually change you.

So I think that’s what was behind my writing this book. I was interested in how, in the short term we’re so easily upset, so easily knocked off course, and how quickly we can recalibrate afterwards. There’s a kind of dexterity to it, I think, how we step around things that fall in our path to simply carry on with our lives.

And I wonder sometimes if a reminder that we can do that is all we need to enable us to do it. We get stuck because we think life is too much, that whatever has happened to us will leave us foundering forever. I think telling ourselves that we can get through is instrumental in us actually managing too—not in a gritty, determined way, necessarily, but just with gentle repetition. Getting up every day and deciding again to live with the new situation.

Books have always helped me to do this; they make you feel connected when you are at your most alone. And I’ve always gravitated to the ones that also make me feel like the world is full of secrets and magic. Susannah Clarke, Andrew Kaufman, Neil Gaiman—people who write about our world, but stranger. Because the world is strange.

That’s why I like it.

***

Thanks Janina! If you've already read and loved Of Things Gone Astray, share your thoughts today on social media with the hashtag #IndieGoneAstray. If you haven't had a chance to check out this highly imaginative debut yet, you can still grab an egalley from Edelweiss now!

January 23, 2015

I don't know about the rest of you all out there, but New York City is in for a cold, wet, disgusting winter weekend. And what better way is there to spend a nasty weather weekend than snuggled up inside with a fun book?! Here are a few of our fun reads ready for downloading to make your weekend great.

The Clockwork Crown by Beth Cato: the fantasy/steampunk sequel to The Clockwork Dagger in which a powerful young healer goes on the run with a former government assassin, great for fans of Trudi Canavan and Gail Carriger. Download here!

Rebound by Noelle August: the second in a series about Boomerang—the dating site for the millenial generation—and the behind-the-scenes romances in their offices, perfect for fans of the New Adult genre. Download here!

When Good Earls Go Bad by Megan Frampton: a fun and sexy novella from the author of The Duke's Guide to Correct Behavior, about an earl and the woman who signs on to be his housekeeper, and both get more than they bargained for. Download here!

So don't let horrible winter weather get you down! We have plentymore great books just waiting to be enjoyed.

January 22, 2015

We are so excited about the launch of a new project - The Library Love Fest Book Club!

Every month (if you are a newsletter subscriber), we will send out a fabulous video with the three of us each discussing one book that we particularly love and think is perfect for book clubs. They all appear on our Book Club website, along with over 120 other appropriate titles for you to choose from.

January 21, 2015

I’m a big old fan of this debut novel. Turn of the century NYC, side shows, secret babies, sisters, illicit love. What’s not to love??

The three person narrative is told by Sylvan Threadgill who finds an abandoned newborn baby and is determined to track down her parents; Odile Church, raised in the curtained halls of her mother’s spectacular Coney Island sideshow, who now must contend with the death of her mother and the loss of her sister Belle, the sword swallower star of the show; and Alphie Leonnetti, a reformed escort, who wakes up groggy and confused in Blackwell’s Lunatic Asylum for Women (gasp!).The last thing she remembers is a dark stain on the floor and her mother-in-law screaming.

On a single night, these strangers’ lives become forever entwined, as secrets come to light, consequences are faced, and long-desired acceptance is found. Leslie Parry creates a richly atmospheric vision of the colorful world of those at the fringes of society and keeps the surprises coming. For fans of The Night Circus or Water for Elephants.

January 15, 2015

So I was late to the game with The Queen of the Tearling (the first in this amazing trilogy), and I felt like a dumb dumb when I finally read it because it was excellent and fun and smart and engaging and generally awesome, and I could have enjoyed it sooner had I not been all "oh, I don't really read Fantasy." Dumb Dumb.

So when The Invasion of the Tearling became available as a manuscript I immediately printed it out and read it in two days. Two wonderful, adventure-filled days. Kelsea is still learning the ins and outs of being the leader of a country (with the help of her guard Lazarus and the enigmatic, enticing Fetch), but she is also having persistent out of body experiences that show her what life was like before the Crossing. VERY Big Brother.

In that world Kelsea observes Lily, a privileged but very sheltered and insecure young woman, who Kelsea gradually discovers played an incredibly significant role in the creation of The Tearling.

Concurrently, the Red Queen is still pawing at the doorstep of Kelsea's kingdom and is desperate for those sapphires. SO much intrigue! Plus a very handsome and dangerous stranger keeps appearing out of fireplaces. I'm going to read it again, that's how excited I am getting talking about it.

Don't worry though, I'm not teasing you. It just became available on Edelweiss, so you too can read it!